
The country mouse heads for the city
I started writing this post and Robert leaned over to read what I was writing.
“What’s the city?”, he asked. I looked at him under my brows. “Vancouver?”, he said, “That’s not a city that’s like Henley on Thames! 🙂 ”
“To you it’s an outpost!”, I said, we laughed.
Yesterday, our good friends Chris and Diane rode over for lunch. They came on Chris’s epic custom made chopper. We heard them arriving from way down the lane.
I made a “clear the fridge for Robbie” lunch. 🙂 There were a couple carrots, a zucchini and some broccoli left. These, non-Robbie veggies, plus the end of the brie and some cheddar, made a lovely frittata, and half of a package of ricotta cheese, and half of a package of rolled puff pastry made a quick and delicious nectarine tart for dessert.
We had a lovely lunch and catch-up and then R and C went off to talk cars and bikes while Diane and I drove to Oxford so I could do some last minute shopping.
…
This morning I’m packed, ready for the flight and thinking about last night as R and I talked about our summer and future plans.
I’m going to miss my Oxfordshire for a few months, but am looking forward to my home in Vancouver, my children, who I miss desperately, R coming over soon, my garden, new floors, city life.
(I’m not going to miss raking up the mountains and mountains of leaves from our huge maples.)
But the things I’ll miss the most are the everyday things.
I know I usually show you all sorts of beautiful atmospheric photos but my everyday photos, like this one, are super filled with meaning and emotion.
I’ll miss both my boys for a while.
R and I talk every day for at least an hour, sometimes two or three. Everyone who knows us knows never to phone us at Vancouver 9am or British 5pm, because that time is always reserved for our daily phone call. When we’re apart and can’t talk, I always send R a daily post card until I get back to the phone.
So I’m off this morning back to Vancouver and R is staying here for a while, but in the meantime I have our lovely summer photos and I’m savouring every one.
Sabra Bowers
One of the things I miss about being part of a couple is entertaining other couples and families with children, when my daughter was a child. I like your blog when you are in the country and when you are in the city. I’ve missed pictures of C. That tart…yum!
Veronica
I know that feeling Sabra. When R and I are apart the entertaining is very different. That tart was really yummy. 🙂
Daryl
well now that you emptied the fridge, whats he going to eat! i see lots of take away and restaurant meals …
Veronica
Lol, there are no takeaways or restaurants anywhere within ten miles of West Cottage! (Except for several pubs) Poor R is reduced to making his own suppers. 🙁 But I did make him some lovely chicken soup before I left. Don’t worry, he’s an excellent cook and has been taking care of his own cooking for millions of years.
Marrianna
I can’t imagine what you must be feeling/felt because of needing to return to Vancouver. I’ve enjoyed the photos of the countryside these last couple of months. I also look forward to your return to your Vancouver home and reading about your adventures in your flower garden. Both places are so lovely – lush and GREEN. BTW, I never bought that colorful leather journal from the shop on Oxford. Too expensive for something that would be ANOTHER blank journal waiting for me to pick it up. Thank you for your consistency in blogging.
Veronica
Hi Marrianna, Things will be fine in a day or two after the jet-lag goes away. In these in-between days I have to be careful about feeling sad and just have to stiff upper lip and carry on. Those journals are expensive but so beautiful! But I know exactly how you feel. I do that too and then have to put my foot down and say “no more until the old ones are filled”. I’m so glad you stop by to read. It’s so wonderful for me to see your name in the comments. 🙂
forestpoppy
Hope you have a safe trip home and that you settle back into life there quickly. It must be hard splitting yourself between two such different lives. juliex
Veronica
Hi Julie. 🙂 It does get tedious but it’s so worth it! I love my two country life, but not the jet-lag lol. 🙂
Christie
Your “clean out the fridge” meal sounds like a gourmet delight. And that tart!!! Does it ever look yummy! I look forward to learning more about your Vancouver life. Safe journey.
Veronica
Thank you Christie. I rarely print recipes because I went to Cordon Bleu and don’t really ever refer to recipes, but if you’d ever want to know then just ask and I’ll write one out for you. 🙂
Africanaussie
What an awesome life you live…..I could definitely go for a slice of that nectarine tart right now…
Veronica
Thank you so much Africanaussie. It’s a slog sometimes but worth it. 🙂 I could go for a slice of that tart right now myself. 🙂
Catherine Llewellyn
Thanks for your delicious presence here in Oxfordshire – and hurry back!! xxxx
Veronica
It was so nice to be there and be with you. 🙂 I’ll hurry back. X